Jean Nouvel has unveiled plans for Monad Terrace called 'Reflection Machine', a condominium residence in Miami Beach. Jean Nouvel's Monade Terrace will be built by considering updated floods and sea levels frequently happening in Miami Beach. 

In this context, Ateliers Jean Nouvel applies a practical awareness of our changing climate to the project—seamlessly engineering environmental responsibility and innovative climate resilience features into the building’s architecture. 

Image courtesy of JDS Development 

Monade Terrace will be Jean Nouvel's first residential project in Florida. The building is designed to reflect the light and water of its surroundings, while living in harmony with the time and place in which it rises. 

Ateliers Jean Nouvel elevates the building 3,5 meter (11.5 feet) from the ground, Monad Terrace will be the first structure in Miami Beach to be built above updated flood and sea level elevations, and the first to be constructed above West Avenue’s new height. 

Image courtesy of Monad Terrace

This significantly higher grade puts all interior spaces and the garage entrance well above the flood plain, while eliminating the need to dig down to the water table to construct below-grade parking—a thoroughly practical solution to one of Miami’s most pervasive construction challenges.

Image courtesy of JDS Development 

''Of course, it's all about the water. And all the design work is to create a vision framing the lagoon and the bay. And the reason is because there is so much to see, from the lagoon to the bay, to boats at the dock to the skyline of downtown and the sunset and the fantastic view across the water,'' said Jean Nouvel. 

The building comprised of 59 individually designed waterfront residences arrayed around a glittering lagoon on Biscayne Bay, Monad Terrace provides brilliant light and expansive private outdoor space while being sheltered by climbing gardens that feature native Bougainvillea and Passion Vines.

Image courtesy of Monad Terrace

The project is developed with JDS Development Group, Kobi Karp Architecture, Ackerman Development and Mink Development. Nouvel’s mastery of the art and science of light comes to life in the innovative sawtooth façade, which brings the feeling of Biscayne Bay deep into the heart of the property, creating what Nouvel has dubbed “the reflection machine." 

Image courtesy of Monad Terrace

Select Monad Terrace floor plans features a sawtooth profile—a kind of refined zig-zag—along the glass façades that face the water garden and lagoon so that one never loses view of the bay and sky, and yet privacy is assured. And in a beautiful side effect, at night the building glows like a paper lantern or a silver moon. 

Image courtesy of Monad Terrace

Monad Terrace’s unique honeycomb sawtooth façade captures, diffuses, and reflects incoming light, simultaneously framing views and providing privacy. Transparency and translucency are achieved by a bespoke engineered screen system, built into the faceted glass walls of each residence. 

While the glass facing the bay is clear, the glass facing adjacent residences features a distinctive aluminum hexagrid screen embedded within the glazing itself.

Image courtesy of Monad Terrace

Viewed from an oblique angle, the screen becomes opaque. When viewed head on, these same screens become transparent—adding sparkle and luminosity to every interior space. Throughout the floor plan, the angle of each facet is unique—precisely calibrated to the lines of sight from within each residence, to the waterfront and beyond, as well as sheltering residences from adjacent sightlines.

Image courtesy of Monad Terrace

South Beach has matured into one of Miami’s most prestigious and sought-after neighborhoods. The bay side of South Beach provides a relaxed and tranquil setting that other neighborhoods envy—a thoughtful pedestrian-friendly community offering an eminently civilized, healthy way of life. 

Image courtesy of JDS Development 

An eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, wellness boutiques, and recreational activities are within minutes of Monad Terrace. The following is a small sampling of the neighborhood favourites. Sales for the residences launched fall 2016. 

Image courtesy of Monad Terrace

Image courtesy of Ateliers Jean Nouvel

Facade detail. Image courtesy of Monad Terrace

Top image courtesy of Monad Terrace

> via Ateliers Jean Nouvel/ Monad Terrace